I don't see how this is "cruel" in any way. Unless there's something about ball-python combat that I'm not aware of. It's not like dogs fighting and tearing each other apart. The snakes don't injure each other, so far as I know. If they do, then please explain and I'll alter my opinion.
I think folks are making a bit of an assumption that such combat is "stressful" in a detrimental way for the snakes. How do you know the snake was "stressed" after the fight? Maybe it was jazzed up...lookin' for a lady..."feeling good" about having done something it would do in nature but rarely gets to do in captivity.
While I completely understand and encourage creating as stress-free an environment as possible because of the circumstances of captivity....I also don't feel that occassional moments of "stress" are bad for the animals....in fact, I think it would be good for them. Constant stress of having to live with another male that wants to battle....BAD...without a doubt. But having a chance to interact and "battle" on rare occasions....I just can't see that as a bad thing, so long as there is no significant risk of injuries. How do we know such moments, carefully dolled out and supervised, are not a beneficial environmental enhancement?
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